The Cheltenham Festival: 10 horses to follow

Every National Hunt racing fan looks forward to the Cheltenham Festival and the March extravaganza is the only thing that gets us through the barren summer months. 

It’s finally upon us and the four-day meeting takes place next week, so Cheltenham Festival tips are what we all need. Here are 10 horses to follow across the week and there should be plenty of winners amongst them.

Supreme Novices’ Hurdle – Old Park Star @ 9/4

The home team could be set to strike first this year, as the Nicky Henderson-trained Old Park Star should be ready to rock and roll. His utterly dominant display at Haydock last time out was very impressive and a similar effort should put him bang in the mix.

Arkle Novices’ Chase – Lulamba @ 15/8

Another one for Nicky Henderson, Lulamba was a smart juvenile hurdler last term, but he looks very special since making the switch to fences. He beat his elders with plenty in hand in the Game Spirit Chase at Newbury last time out and could be the 2027 Champion Chaser.

McCoy Contractors Juvenile Handicap Hurdle – Glen To Glen @ 14/1

Joseph O’Brien appears to have found the key to winning this race, having come out on top in each of the last two years. Glen To Glen has the ideal profile for this race and the improving four-year-old managed to get off the mark in maiden company last time out.

Turners Novices’ Hurdle – Mighty Park @ 7/1

Willie Mullins confirmed that Mighty Park is still on course to run in the Turners rather than the Supreme, despite him shortening in the market for the latter recently. He couldn’t have been more impressive when winning at Fairyhouse and could be special.

Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase – Oscars Brother @ 12/1

Connor King only has two horses in training and Oscars Brother is doing the small yard proud so far this season. His Grade 2 success in the Florida Pearl attracted the attention of JP McManus and he won for his new owner at Navan last time. This looks like the ideal test.

Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase – No Questions Asked @ 16/1

Ben Pauling has three progressive novices who are all of interest in this race and recent Grade 2 winner No Questions Asked is potentially the most interesting. It would be no surprise to see him run a big race off a mark of 149 here.

Jack Richards Novices’ Handicap Chase – Wingmen @ 20/1

Gordon Elliott is having an excellent season thus far and is likely to have a much more successful Cheltenham this time around. This race looks like the ideal test for Wingmen, who has been running against some smart horses in beginners’ chases.

Stayers’ Hurdle – Ma Shantou @ 8/1

No one has been able to really hold the Stayers’ Hurdle crown in recent years and the prize is there for the taking once again. Emma Lavelle’s Ma Shantou has been hugely progressive this term and the form of his Cleeve Hurdle success puts him right in the mix.

County Hurdle – Tutti Quanti @ 20/1

Non-runner no bet might be your friend here, as connections are tempted by a Champion Hurdle bid. That could prove to be a bit too optimistic, but a County Hurdle bid off 151 here certainly isn’t. He won the William Hill Hurdle by 15 lengths last time out and would be entitled to go close.

Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle – A Pai De Nom

Dan Skelton certainly knows how to train handicap winners at Cheltenham and A Pai De Nom has the ideal profile for this race. He would have learnt plenty on his handicap debut in the Lanzarote and won with loads in hand at Newbury last time. This horse has a huge chance.